Odd, plain brown, ground-dwelling bird that is rarely seen by those not looking for it. Usually seen in pairs or family groups, walking on the forest floor. Found in eastern rainforest at low and middle elevations, usually on steep slopes. Call is a loud and explosive series of descending or two-noted whistles, usually given in duet by a pair. Can be separated from other mesites by range. Similar to Madagascar Wood-Rail, but slimmer, longer-tailed, and with paler underparts.